JASON HAWK EDITOR PITTSFIELD TWP. — The Lorain County JVS is canceling in-person classes and returning to completely online learning. The decision was announced Friday, after Ohio’s new COVID-19 cases jumped by more than 8,000 overnight and Lorain County cases shot up by 148. “Many of you all are working from home. Many of you all have experienced challenges with this virus,” JVS Superintendent Glenn Faircloth said in a video announcement. “Unfortunately, these numbers are continuing to rise, not only in the state of Ohio but in our county. It is with a saddened heart that I must come to this ..read more

JASON HAWK EDITOR COLUMBUS — Ohio House Bill 614 was passed last week, setting aside $650 million to help counties, cities, villages and townships weather the COVID-19 crisis. Already signed by Gov. Mike DeWine, the bill divvies up federal CARES Act money among more than 2,400 local governments statewide, based on population count. Those in Lorain County will share $23.4 million in relief funds. The bill follows on the heels of $350 million in CARES Act money approved in June by Ohio lawmakers, as well as $175 million approved by the State Controlling Board in August. “Today, we wanted to supp ..read more

Nearly 3,200 children throughout Lorain County are expected to receive clothing this September as they return to school. Each child will receive about $350 worth of clothing, thanks to funding from the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, in partnership with the Lorain County commissioners, the county’s Department of Job and Family Services and the Lorain County branch of Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Ohio. Clothing bags have been packed according to the selections made by families. No new orders are being taken. Distribution will take place at two club sites, the Des ..read more

A mask mandate will go into effect at 6 p.m. Thursday across all of Ohio. Gov. Mike DeWine has announced face coverings must be worn at all times in public. “Our preliminary data indicate that the rate of increase in new cases has slowed in the high-risk counties where masks are already mandated, so we are cautiously optimistic that things are heading in the right direction,” said Governor DeWine. “We believe that requiring masks statewide will make a significant difference and will be key to making sure other counties do not progress to a higher level of increased spread.” Everyone statewide ..read more

Graduating high school seniors won’t get the commencement ceremonies they envisioned at the start of the 2019-2020 school year. To help give them the pomp and circumstance they’ve earned, we’re featuring local graduates each week in our print pages! To include your senior, send a photo with the student’s name, school they’re graduating from, plans (college, military, workforce, etc.) and an idea of their aspirations to news@lcnewspapers.com ..read more

JASON HAWK EDITOR The coronavirus has claimed the lives of 167 Ohioans as of Tuesday, and the numbers continue to boom. Statewide, there were 4,782 cases of COVID-19 — that number reflects only the people who have tested positive, but very few people with symptoms are being tested due to supply shortages. There were 1,354 hospitalizations as of Tuesday and 417 intensive care admissions. In Lorain County, there were 119 confirmed cases, 34 hospitalizations and three deaths. County health officials reported there were 264 total contacts quarantined, 162 people being monitored, 102 released and ..read more

  JASON HAWK EDITOR ELYRIA — The local “incident command center” for COVID-19 isn’t a bunker with armed guards. Jason Hawk | Wellington Enterprise Ali Corrigan, a member of Lorain County Public Health’s epidemiology team, fields calls from hospitals about coronavirus cases.There’s no giant wall of computer read-outs, no flashing lights, no big red panic button in the center of the room. At Lorain County Public Health on Murray Ridge Road, there are a lot of people fielding phone calls in hushed tones. In a glass-walled office on the first floor, Ali Corrigan was on the phone last Wednesday as ..read more

Kristin Bauer | Chronicle Kathleen Sullivan, a voting room assistant, wipes off one of the voting machines at the Board of Elections on Monday afternoon. Poll workers wiped down the stations with rubbing alcohol throughout the day in an effort to keep voters safe from COVID-19. In-person voting was canceled at the last minute.NOTE: Our March 19 edition is dedicated to full coverage of the coronavirus outbreak and how it’s disrupted everyday life in Lorain County and the rest of Ohio. Pick it up at local grocery and convenience stores. JASON HAWK EDITOR “We’ve never seen a situation exactly lik ..read more

“Every action each one of us takes now has very significant consequences… We are at a critical time and we need to get this right.” — Gov. Mike DeWine Centers for Disease Control and Prevention This illustration shows severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, or COVID-19, as it looks when viewed through an electron microsope.NOTE: Our March 19 edition is dedicated to full coverage of the coronavirus outbreak and how it’s disrupted everyday life in Lorain County and the rest of Ohio. Pick it up at local grocery and convenience stores. JASON HAWK EDITOR Coronavirus cases next door in Cuy ..read more

Mikayla MitchellMikayla Mitchell, an Avon Lake High School graduate who aspires to have a career in forensic psychology, has been chosen as the Boys & Girls Clubs of Lorain County’s 2020 Youth of the Year. Mitchell, 17, lives in Lorain. “Mikayla is a hard-working and passionate young lady who has a huge heart for the children she serves,” said Angelicia Brewer, site director for the club at Avon Lake’s Westview Elementary School. “She goes above and beyond to make them feel loved.” Mitchell has been involved with the clubs for two years as a member and one year as part of the staff. Her Cl ..read more